Tyson announces new fight series

Former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson's foray into promoting will take him and his company, Iron Mike Promotions, to the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, Pa., where he has announced a new monthly boxing series -- "KO Kings of Tomorrow" -- to be held at the casino.

Tyson announced that the first card is scheduled for Feb. 22. In addition, Tyson will perform his one-man stage show, "Undisputed Truth," there on Feb. 20.

The fight card won't receive television coverage, but it will be available to view by internet pay-per-view for $4.99 on Universal Streaming Network (http://www.ustream.tv/universalstreamingnetwork).
The Feb. 22 card will be headlined by a pair of up-and-coming fighters against journeymen opponents.

Bantamweight Juan Carlos Payano (14-0, 8 KOs), a two-time Olympian from the Dominican Republic, will meet German Meraz (46-28-1, 25 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature. Payano is close to a mandatory title shot.

Also on the card will be heavily hyped southpaw welterweight prospect Erickson Lubin (2-0, 2 KOs) of Orlando, Fla., who will appear in a four-rounder. Lubin was considered a top prospect to make the 2016 U.S. Olympic team, but Tyson signed the fighter on his 18th birthday, drawing the ire of USA Boxing, which heavily criticized Tyson for signing him.

As part of the hype for Tyson's inaugural card at the casino, one ticketholder will be selected to sit ringside with the former champ.